Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults

December 07, 2020

Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults

As you may be aware, urinary incontinence is prevalent today. According to the Urology Care Foundation, “A quarter to a third of men and women in the U.S. suffer from urinary incontinence.” Honestly, that’s a lot of people. 

And, while we know that incontinence does not discriminate (it affects individuals regardless of age, gender, or race), certain populations tend to be more vulnerable. Unfortunately, older adults are often affected by urinary incontinence

Why Older Adults Suffer

Of the five types of incontinence (stress, overflow, urge, functional, and mixed), functional incontinence is directly related to age.  Quite simply, older individuals often move more slowly than those who are younger.  This may be a result of age or perhaps related to the medical issues that are common in the elderly (like arthritis).  Either way, for some individuals, is it difficult to move, and get to the bathroom,  quickly.

That said, older adults may also suffer from other types of incontinence.  For example, issues like an enlarged prostate or diabetes can cause urine to leak from a constantly full bladder. This is referred to as overflow incontinence.

Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases, which can affect the elderly, often cause urge incontinence.  If you or someone you love has sudden urges to urinate and has trouble making it to the restroom in a timely fashion,  they may suffer from this.

Additionally, stress incontinence occurs when the bladder is under pressure and urine links when you sneeze, cough, or even let out a hearty laugh.  Middle-aged and younger women are those who are usually impacted.  And finally, mixed incontinence is exactly as it sounds, a combination of one or more of the types shared above.

Actions for Older Adults

The first course of action for older adults dealing with incontinence is simple -- visit the doctor.  Incontinence is often a symptom of something else, and it is important to determine any underlying issues.  Your physician can offer the best advice, based on your overall health, on how to manage incontinence.

That said, there are a lot of noninvasive actions you can take to help control your incontinence. Simple steps like managing your diet, staying hydrated, and planning your daily activities can all help.

Finally, there are several products available today that protect against incontinence in your home, your car, and when you visit friends and relatives.  Investing in quality incontinence protection often provides added peace of mind and allows those who suffer to live a more fulfilling life.

AT LIQUAGUARD® WE UNDERSTAND THAT INCONTINENCE CAN BE FRUSTRATING AND EMBARRASSING. WE RECOGNIZE HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO MANAGE, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPLY A BROAD RANGE OF PRODUCTS TO MAKE LIVING WITH INCONTINENCE A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY. AND, CALL US WITH QUESTIONS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING YOU FIND THE BEST PRODUCTS FOR YOUR NEEDS. WE CAN HELP IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

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